Sporting background builds anticipation for Sri Lankan ambassador

By Wang Danna (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-03-06 14:05

"I am a sports man," said Karunatilaka Amunugama, the Sri Lankan ambassador to China told China Daily in an exclusive interview recently, "I have five colors for soccer, crickets, swimming, basketball, and hockey."

With an impressive track record in sporting events, the ambassador participated in many sporting events across Sri Lanka. The six-color he has been awarded are testaments to his achievements in the sporting arena. He said: "The more colors you get, the higher levels of sporting success you have had in my own country."

Among his sporting interests in his younger days, the ambassador said he was an enthusiast for kung fu. These early experiences have left the ambassador with an abiding interest in sports.

Following his arrival in Beijing, the ambassador's life changed dramatically. Even though official affairs keep him busy, however, he tries to find time to play golf, one of his enduring interests. He said: "Time is a big problem for me when it comes to playing sport, but I always try to find time for my one-hour daily walk."

Following Beijing's successful staging of the 2008 Olympic Games, the ambassador developed a particular interest in the performance of Chinese athletes – even if just as an armchair spectator.

He said: "China has a number of world-class sportsmen and women. I follow their careers keenly, particularly basketball players, such as Yao Ming. I was delighted to hear, for instance, that Yao had a baby."

As a former ambassador to Bangkok, he also has experience of assisting with contribution to the 13th Asian Games, held in Thailand during his time in the country.

He said: "Even though Sri Lanka is a small country with a population of just 20 million, we attach great importance to sport. We believe sport can make people more healthy and open-minded and they will learn more about how to work together with greater unity."

Commenting on the Guangzhou Asian Games in particular, he said: "The Guangzhou Games is an important event, not only for Guangzhou but also for all Chinese people and people throughout Asia.

"I believe what we are looking forward to from the Games is increased Asian harmony. The event will bring Asian people together, allowing them to forget their religion and nationality, whilst making all of us one big family united in building a better world."

The ambassador will attend the Guangzhou Games to watch many of the events, enjoy the competitiveness of the athletes and – in particular – to cheer on the athletes from his own country.

He said: "The Sri Lankan government and many other of our institutions give considerable support to sport. Cooperation with other countries in this field is a crucial part of our country's life."

The ambassador said that his country has now signed a sporting cooperation agreement with China. From this year, the two sides are starting to train jointly, with assistance from China in soccer and a number of other sports in a bid to boost Sri Lanka's sporting prowess.

Speaking of his country's participation in the Asian Games, Amunugama said: "We participated in all of the last 15 events, winning a number of medals and becoming increasingly competitive. "

The ambassador is hopeful that Sri Lankan athletes will increase their medal tally at Guangzhou Games, especially as the country has been attaching great importance to the forthcoming Asiad. He is particularly hopeful of success on the cricket pitch, a sport on which Sri Lanka places a particular emphasis.

The ambassador is also proud of Sri Lanka athletes' excellent performance at previous sports events. Foremost among these is Susanthika Jayasinghe who formerly held the title of "the fastest woman in Asia" thanks to her excellent track performance.